Electro-pneumatic valve with pressurized container

ABSTRACT

An electro-pneumatic valve assembly includes a valve having a valve housing and a poppet and a solenoid valve having an actuator housing and a valve body. The valve housing has a wall that defines a valve inlet that is arranged to receive a fluid flow from a pressurized container and defines a valve outlet and a first port. The poppet is disposed within the valve housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator housing defines an opening. The valve body has a first wall that defines an inlet that is fluidly connected to the first port and a second wall that defines an outlet that is fluidly connected to the second port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Counterpart application Ser.No. 15/844,046 filed Dec. 15, 2017, which claims the benefit of INApplication 201711037204 filed Oct. 20, 2017, the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of inflation valves.

Inflation valves may be used in conjunction with a high pressure storedgas that is controllably released to inflate an object such as a raft,lifejacket, emergency slide, or the like. Inflation valves may be flowisolation valves actuated by electrical or mechanical arrangements butare typically single opening action valves meaning that they may only beused one time. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an inflationvalve that may be repeatedly used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is an electro-pneumatic valve assembly that includes a valve.The valve includes a valve housing, and a poppet. The valve housing hasa wall that extends along a first axis between a first end and a secondend and an end wall that is disposed at the second end. The wall definesa valve outlet and a first port and the end wall defines a second port.The poppet is slidably disposed within the valve housing. The poppet ismovable between a first position that inhibits a fluid flow through thevalve outlet and a second position that facilitates the fluid flowthrough the valve outlet.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the walldefines a first shoulder that extends towards the first axis.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a valveinlet is defined by the first shoulder and is arranged to receive thefluid flow from a pressurized container.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the valvehousing defines an inlet chamber that extends between the first end andthe first shoulder.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the walldefines a second shoulder that extends away from the first axis and isspaced apart from the first shoulder.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the valvehousing defines a first chamber that extends between the first shoulderand the second shoulder.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the valvehousing defines a second chamber that extends between the end wall andthe second shoulder.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the firstchamber has a first diameter and the second chamber has a seconddiameter that is greater than the first diameter.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the poppetincludes a poppet head that is slidably received within the secondchamber and a poppet body that extends from the poppet head and isslidably received within the first chamber.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, theelectro-pneumatic valve assembly further includes a solenoid valve. Thesolenoid valve has an inlet that is fluidly connected to the first port,an outlet that is fluidly connected to the second port, and a vent port.The solenoid valve is movable between an open position and a closedposition.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, while inthe open position the fluid flow from the pressurized container flowsthrough the first port, through the inlet, through the outlet, throughthe second port and into the second chamber to urge the poppet towardsthe first position.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, while inthe closed position the fluid flow from the pressurized container thatis disposed within the second chamber flows through the second port,through the outlet, and through the vent port to facilitate the fluidflow from the pressurized container through the valve inlet to urge thepoppet towards the second position.

Also disclosed is an electro-pneumatic valve assembly that includes asolenoid valve. The solenoid valve includes an actuator housing, a valvebody, and a plunger assembly. The actuator housing has a base thatdefines an opening that extends along an axis and a cover assembly thatis connected to the base and defines a first cavity that is disposedabout the axis. The valve body has a first wall that defines an inletthat is disposed about the axis, a second wall that extends from thefirst wall and defines an outlet, and a flange that extends from thesecond wall and engages the base. The plunger assembly is movable alongthe axis between an open position that facilitates a fluid flow throughthe inlet and through the outlet and a closed position that inhibits thefluid flow through the inlet and the outlet.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the secondwall has a body shoulder that extends towards the axis and defines acentral opening that is disposed about the axis.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the valvebody defines a valve cavity that extends between the first wall and thebody shoulder.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the valvebody defines a vent cavity that extends between the body shoulder andthe flange.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the secondwall defines a vent port that is disposed between the body shoulder andthe flange.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the plungerassembly includes a plunger extending between a first plunger end and asecond plunger end along the axis and a push rod connected to the firstplunger end and extending through the opening and the central opening.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the pushrod has a head that engages the body shoulder to fluidly seal thecentral opening while the plunger assembly is in the open position andthat engages a portion of the first wall to fluidly seal the inlet whilethe plunger assembly is in the closed position.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the headincludes a skirt that extends towards and engages the second wall.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, thesolenoid valve includes a first biasing member that is disposed withinthe valve cavity and extends between the first wall and the skirt.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, thesolenoid valve includes a cap that is disposed opposite the base suchthat the plunger is disposed between the base and the cap.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, thesolenoid valve includes a second biasing member that is disposed withina second cavity that is defined between the second plunger end and thecap.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, theelectro-pneumatic valve assembly includes a valve having a first portthat is fluidly connected to the inlet and a second port that is fluidlyconnected to the outlet.

Further disclosed is an electro-pneumatic valve assembly that includes avalve and a solenoid valve. The valve includes a valve housing and apoppet. The valve housing has a wall extending along a first axisbetween a first end and a second end and an end wall disposed at thesecond end. The wall has a first shoulder that extends towards the firstaxis and defines a valve inlet that is arranged to receive a fluid flowfrom a pressurized container. The wall defines a valve outlet and afirst port. The end wall defines a second port. The poppet is disposedwithin the valve housing and is movable between a first position and asecond position. The solenoid valve includes an actuator housing and avalve body. The actuator housing has a base that defines an opening thatextends along a second axis that is disposed transverse to the firstaxis and a cover assembly that is connected to the base and defines afirst cavity. The valve body has a first wall that defines an inlet thatis fluidly connected to the first port, a second wall that extends fromthe first wall and defines a vent port and an outlet that is fluidlyconnected to the second port, and a flange that extends from the secondwall and engages the base.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, thesolenoid valve includes a plunger assembly that is movable along thesecond axis between an open position and a closed position.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, while theplunger assembly is in the open position, the fluid flow from thepressurized container flows through the first port, through the inlet,through the outlet, and through the second port to urge the poppettowards the first position.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, while theplunger assembly is in the closed position the fluid flow from thepressurized container flows through the second port, through the outlet,and through the vent port to facilitate the fluid flow from thepressurized container through the valve inlet to urge the poppet towardsthe second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way.With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numberedalike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an inflation system having an electropneumatic valve assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the inflation system having theelectro-pneumatic valve assembly in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a solenoid valve of the electro-pneumaticvalve assembly in a de-energized state; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the solenoid valve of theelectro-pneumatic valve assembly in an energized state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosedapparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification andnot limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an inflation system 10 is shown. Theinflation system 10 may be mounted on or connected to a pressurizedcontainer 12 having a fluid that may be provided to an apparatus 14 tobe inflated. The fluid may be a pressurized fluid. The apparatus 14 maybe emergency equipment such as an inflatable raft, a life vest, anemergency slide, a fire suppression system, or other inflatable devices.

The inflation system 10 includes an electro-pneumatic valve assembly 20that may be cycled between open and closed positions and is designedwith built-in test features to facilitate valve health checks at anypoint of time. The electro-pneumatic valve assembly 20 includes apneumatic valve 22 and a solenoid valve 24. The pneumatic valve 22 andthe solenoid valve 24 may be integrated into a single manifold orhousing to reduce the size of the electro-pneumatic valve assembly 20.

The pneumatic valve 22 includes a valve housing 30 and a poppet 32 thatis movably disposed within the valve housing 30.

The valve housing 30 includes a wall 40 and an end wall 42. The wall 40extends along a first axis 44 between a first end 46 and a second end48. The wall includes a first wall segment 50, a second wall segment 52,and a third wall segment 54 each extending along or about the first axis44. The first wall segment 50 extends from the first end 46 towards thesecond wall segment 52. The second wall segment 52 extends between thefirst wall segment 50 and the third wall segment 54. The third wallsegment 54 extends between the second wall segment 52 and the second end48 and terminates at the end wall 42 that is disposed at the second end48.

The first wall segment 50 of the wall defines a first port 60 that isfluidly connected to the solenoid valve 24. The second wall segment 52of the wall defines a valve outlet 62 that is fluidly connected to theapparatus 14. The third wall segment 54 of the wall defines a leakagevent 64. The end wall 42 defines a second port 66 that is fluidlyconnected to the solenoid valve 24.

An extension 70 radially extends (relative to the first axis 44) fromthe wall towards the first axis 44 and is axially disposed (relative tothe first axis 44) between the first wall segment 50 and the second wallsegment 52. The extension 70 of the wall defines a first shoulder 72that extends between the first wall segment 50 and the second wallsegment 52. A distal end of the first shoulder 72 defines a valve inlet74 that extends about the first axis 44. The valve inlet 74 is arrangedto receive a fluid flow 80 from the pressurized container 12.

A feed line 76 may extend between the first port 60 and the second port66. The solenoid valve 24 may be fluidly connected to the feed line 76.

A second shoulder 90 radially extends between the second wall segment 52and the third wall segment 54 of the wall. The second shoulder 90 isdisposed adjacent to and is axially spaced apart from the leakage vent64.

The valve housing 30 defines an inlet chamber 100, a first chamber 102,and a second chamber 104. The inlet chamber 100 is at least partiallydefined by the first wall segment 50 and extends between the first end46 and the first shoulder 72. The inlet chamber 100 is fluidly connectedto the first port 60. The inlet chamber 100 is arranged to at leastpartially receive a portion of the pressurized container 12.

The first chamber 102 is at least partially defined by the second wallsegment 52 and extends between the first shoulder 72 and the secondshoulder 90. The first chamber 102 is fluidly connected to the valveoutlet 62. The first chamber 102 has a first diameter, D1.

The second chamber 104 is at least partially defined by the third wallsegment 54 and the end wall 42. The second chamber 104 extends betweenthe second shoulder 90 and the end wall 42. The second chamber 104 isfluidly connected to the second port 66. The second chamber has a seconddiameter, D2, which is greater than the first diameter, D1.

The poppet 32 is slidably disposed within the valve housing 30 andextends between the first chamber 102 and the second chamber 104. Thepoppet 32 is movable between a first position that inhibits the fluidflow 80 from flowing through the valve outlet 62 and a second positionthat facilitates the fluid flow 80 to flow through the valve outlet 62.

The poppet 32 includes a poppet body 110 and a poppet head 112. Thepoppet body 110 is slidably received within the first chamber 102 andmay slidably engage the second wall segment 52 of the wall. The poppetbody 110 is provided with a radial seal that sealingly engages thesecond wall segment 52. The poppet body 110 has a first poppet diameter,P1. The poppet head 112 extends from the poppet body 110 along the firstaxis 44. The poppet head 112 is slidably received within the secondchamber 104 and may slidably engage the third wall segment 54 of thewall. The poppet head 112 is provided with a radial seal that sealinglyengages the third wall segment 54. The poppet head 112 has a secondpoppet diameter, P2, which is greater than the first poppet diameter,P1.

As shown in FIG. 1, an end of the poppet body 110 engages the extension70 having the first shoulder 72 and poppet body 110 blocks the valveoutlet 62, while the poppet 32 is in the first position. As shown inFIG. 2, the end of the poppet body 110 is spaced apart from theextension 70 having the first shoulder 72 and the poppet body 110exposes the valve outlet 62, while the poppet 32 is in the secondposition.

The solenoid valve 24 is fluidly connected to the pneumatic valve 22 andis arranged to facilitate the poppet 32 to move between the firstposition and the second position along the first axis 44. The solenoidvalve 24 may be configured as a two position-three way type valve thatis positioned within a feed line 76 that extends between the first port60 and the second port 66. The solenoid valve 24 is movable between anopen position and a closed position, but is in an open position whilethe poppet 32 of the pneumatic valve 22 is in the first position.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the solenoid valve 24 includes an actuatorhousing 120, a cap 122, a valve body 124, and a plunger assembly 126.

The actuator housing 120 includes a base 130 and a cover assembly 132that is connected to the base 130. The base 130 includes a body 140 thatextends between a first body end 142 and a second body end 144 along asecond axis 146 that may be disposed transverse to the first axis 44.The body 140 may be configured as a solenoid bobbin. The body 140defines an opening 150 that extends between the first body end 142 andthe second body end 144 along the second axis 146. In at least oneembodiment, the base 130 includes a base flange 152 that radially extendfrom the body 140 and is disposed proximate the first body end 142.

The cover assembly 132 is connected to and is at least partiallydisposed about the base 130. A portion of the body 140 of the base 130extends into the cover assembly 132. A solenoid coil or a portion of anactuator is received within a region that is radially disposed betweenthe body 140 of the base 130 and the cover assembly 132.

The cap 122 is disposed opposite the base 130 and is operativelyconnected the cover assembly 132. The cap 122 at least partially extendsinto the cover assembly 132. A first cavity 160 is defined between thecap 122, a portion of the cover assembly 132, and the second body end144.

The valve body 124 is operatively connected to the base 130 of theactuator housing 120. The valve body 124 includes a first wall 170, asecond wall 172, and a flange 174.

The first wall 170 is disposed substantially transverse to the secondaxis 146 and defines an inlet 180. The inlet 180 is disposed about thesecond axis 146 and is fluidly connected to the first port 60 via thefeed line 76. The inlet 180 may be defined through a member 182 thatextends from or through the first wall 170. The member 182 may define avalve seat.

The second wall 172 extends between the first wall 170 and the flange174. The second wall 172 may be an annular wall or circumferential wallthat extends from the first wall 170 towards the base 130.

The second wall 172 defines an outlet 190, a vent port 192, and a bodyshoulder 194. The outlet 190 is disposed proximate the first wall 170and is fluidly connected to the second port 66 via the feed line 76. Theoutlet 190 is disposed transverse to the inlet 180 although alternativearrangements are also possible. The vent port 192 is spaced apart fromthe outlet 190 and is axially disposed, relative to the second axis 146,between the outlet 190 and the flange 174. The vent port 192 may beselectively exposed to ambient. The body shoulder 194 extends from aninterior surface of the second wall 172 towards the second axis 146. Thebody shoulder 194 defines a central opening 196 that is disposed aboutthe second axis 146.

The flange 174 radially extends from the second wall 172 away from thesecond axis 146. The flange 174 engages the base 130 and may engage thebase flange 152.

The valve body 124 defines a valve cavity 200 and a vent cavity 202. Thevalve cavity 200 is at least partially defined by an interior surface ofthe second wall 172 and extends between the first wall 170 and the bodyshoulder 194. The valve cavity 200 is fluidly connected to the outlet190. The vent cavity 202 is at least partially defined by an interiorsurface of the second wall 172 and extends between the body shoulder 194and the flange 174 of the first body end 142 of the body 140 of the base130. The vent cavity 202 is fluidly connected to the vent port 192.

The plunger assembly 126 extends between the actuator housing 120 andthe valve body 124. The movement of the plunger assembly 126 moves thesolenoid valve 24 between an open position that facilitates the fluidflow 80 to flow through the inlet 180 and through the outlet 190 and aclosed position that inhibits the fluid flow 80 from flowing through theinlet 180 and the outlet 190.

The plunger assembly 126 includes a plunger 210 and a push rod 212.

The plunger 210 is disposed within the first cavity 160 such that theplunger 210 is disposed between the body 140 of the base 130 and the cap122. The plunger 210 extends between a first plunger end 220 and asecond plunger end 222 along the second axis 146.

The first plunger end 220 is disposed proximate and is spaced apart fromthe second body end 144 of the body 140 of the base 130 while thesolenoid of the solenoid valve 24 is de-energized, as shown in FIG. 3,to define an air gap therebetween. The first plunger end 220 engages thesecond body end 144 of the body 140 of the base 130 while the solenoidof the solenoid valve 24 is energized, as shown in FIG. 4, to close theair gap and to move the plunger assembly 126 from the open positiontowards the closed position.

The second plunger end 222 is disposed proximate and faces towards thecap 122. A second cavity 230 is defined between the second plunger end222 and the cap 122.

The push rod 212 is connected to the plunger 210 proximate the firstplunger end 220. The push rod 212 extends from the plunger 210 along thesecond axis 146 and extends through the opening 150 and the centralopening 196.

The push rod 212 includes a head 240, a skirt 242, and a leg 244. Thehead 240 is disposed within the valve cavity 200. The head 240 engagesthe body shoulder 194 to at least partially fluidly seal the centralopening 196 while the solenoid valve 24 is in the open position. Thehead 240 engages the valve seat of the member 182 of the first wall 170to at least partially fluidly seal the inlet 180 while the solenoidvalve 24 is in the closed position. An end of the head 240 that facestowards the first wall 170 may define a pocket 246. Pocket 246 extendstowards an end of the head 240 that selectively engages the bodyshoulder 194.

The skirt 242 radially extends from the head 240 towards the interiorsurface of the second wall 172. The skirt 242 may define a skirt port248. The skirt 242 may be an annular or circumferential skirt having theleg 244. The leg 244 is disposed substantially parallel to the secondaxis 146 and slidably engages the interior surface of the second wall172. The leg 244 extends towards the first wall 170.

A first biasing member 250 is disposed within the valve cavity 200 andextends between the first wall 170 and the skirt 242. The first biasingmember 250 is arranged to bias the head 240 away from engagement withthe valve seat to maintain the solenoid valve 24 in the open position.

A second biasing member 252 is disposed within the second cavity 230 andextends between the plunger 210 and the cap 122.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, while the solenoid valve 24 is in the openposition, the head 240 is spaced apart from the valve seat of the firstwall 170 such that the inlet 180 is open and the head 240 seals thecentral opening 196. The fluid flow 80 from the pressurized container 12is inhibited from flowing through the valve inlet 74 by the poppet 32and is diverted to flow through the first port 60, through the feed line76, through the inlet 180 and into the valve cavity 200, through theoutlet 190, through the feed line 76, through the second port 66 andinto the second chamber 104 to urge the poppet 32 along the first axis44 towards the first position to seal the valve inlet 74. Thisarrangement pressure balances the poppet 32 of the pneumatic valve 22 toinhibit the fluid flow 80 from flowing between the valve inlet 74 andthe valve outlet 62 towards the apparatus 14, while the solenoid valve24 is in the open position.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the solenoid valve 24 may move towards theclosed position responsive to a command or actuation to provide thefluid flow 80 to the apparatus 14. The air gap is closed as the head 240is moved towards engagement with the valve seat of the first wall 170such that the inlet 180 is closed and fluid flow 80 that is disposedwithin the vent cavity 202 is vented through the vent port 192 toambient. The fluid flow 80 from the pressurized container 12 that isdisposed within the second chamber 104 flows through the second port 66,through the feed line 76, through the outlet 190, into the valve cavity200, through the skirt port 248, into the vent cavity 202, and outthrough the vent port 192. This enables the fluid flow 80 frompressurized container 12 to urge the poppet 32 along the first axis 44towards the second position such that the fluid flow 80 may flow throughthe valve outlet 62 and into or towards the apparatus 14 to inflate theapparatus 14. In at least one embodiment, the solenoid valve 24 may beprovided with permanent magnet latching features to ensure that thesolenoid valve 24 is maintained in the closed position for apredetermined duration of time such that the head 240 of the plungerassembly 126 remains engaged with the valve seat of the first wall 170to close the inlet 180. The solenoid valve 24 may move from the closedposition towards the open position after the predetermined duration oftime such that the pneumatic valve 22 moves from the second positiontowards the first position to inhibit further fluid flow 80 from flowingto the apparatus 14.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associatedwith measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipmentavailable at the time of filing the application. For example, “about”can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to anexemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents maybe substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made toadapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosurewill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electro-pneumatic valve assembly, comprising:a solenoid valve configured as a two position-three way valve having aninlet that is fluidly connected to a first port of a pneumatic valve, anoutlet that is fluidly connected to a second port of the pneumaticvalve, and a vent port, the solenoid valve being movable between an openposition when de-energized and a closed position when energized, whereinthe solenoid valve further comprises: an actuator housing having a basedefining an opening that extends along an axis and a cover assemblyconnected to the base and defining a first cavity that is disposed aboutthe axis, wherein the cover assembly is at one end of the solenoid valvealong the axis; a valve body having a first wall, wherein the first wallis at another end of the solenoid valve along the axis, and wherein thefirst wall defines the inlet that is disposed about the axis, a secondwall extending from the first wall and defines the outlet, and a flangeextending from the second wall and engages the base; and a plungerassembly movable along the axis between the open position whende-energized that facilitates a fluid flow through the inlet and throughthe outlet and the closed position when energized that inhibits thefluid flow through the inlet and the outlet, wherein: the plungerassembly moves along the axis toward the first wall when energized,thereby moving the solenoid valve to the closed position; and theplunger assembly moves along the axis away from the first wall whende-energized, thereby moving the solenoid valve to the open position. 2.The electro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the second wallof the solenoid valve has a body shoulder that extends towards the axisand defines a central opening that is disposed about the axis.
 3. Theelectro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the valve body ofthe solenoid valve defines a valve cavity that extends between the firstwall and the body shoulder.
 4. The electro-pneumatic valve assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the second wall of the solenoid valve defines the ventport that is disposed between the body shoulder and the flange.
 5. Theelectro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the plungerassembly of the solenoid valve includes a plunger extending between afirst plunger end and a second plunger end along the axis and a push rodconnected to the first plunger end and extending through the opening andthe central opening.
 6. The electro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 5,wherein the push rod of the solenoid valve has a head that engages thebody shoulder to fluidly seal the central opening while the plungerassembly is in the open position and that engages a portion of the firstwall to fluidly seal the inlet while the plunger assembly is in theclosed position.
 7. The electro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 1,further comprising: the pneumatic valve, comprising: a pneumatic valveinlet arranged to receive the fluid flow from a pressurized container; avalve housing having a wall extending along a first axis between a firstend and a second end and an end wall disposed at the second end, thewall defining a pneumatic valve outlet and the first port, and the endwall defining the second port; a poppet slidably disposed within thevalve housing, movable between a first position that inhibits the fluidflow through the pneumatic valve outlet and a second position thatfacilitates the fluid flow through the pneumatic valve outlet.
 8. Theelectro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 7, wherein: while the solenoidvalve is in the open position, fluid flows from the pressurizedcontainer out of the first port in the pneumatic valve, into the inletof the solenoid valve, out of the outlet of the solenoid valve, and intothe second port of the pneumatic valve to urge the poppet of thepneumatic valve towards the first position of the poppet that inhibitsthe fluid flow through the pneumatic valve outlet; and while thesolenoid valve is in the closed position, fluid flows out of the secondport of the pneumatic valve, into the outlet of the solenoid valve, andout of the vent port, and further fluid flows from the pressurizedcontainer through the pneumatic valve inlet to urge the poppet towardsthe second position of the poppet that facilitates the fluid flowthrough the pneumatic valve outlet.
 9. The electro-pneumatic valveassembly of claim 8, wherein the wall defines a first shoulder thatextends towards the first axis.
 10. The electro-pneumatic valve assemblyof claim 9, wherein the pneumatic valve inlet is defined by the firstshoulder.
 11. The electro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 10, whereinthe valve housing defines an inlet chamber that extends between thefirst end and the first shoulder.
 12. The electro-pneumatic valveassembly of claim 11, wherein the wall defines a second shoulder thatextends away from the first axis and is spaced apart from the firstshoulder.
 13. The electro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 12, whereinthe valve housing defines a first chamber that extends between the firstshoulder and the second shoulder.
 14. The electro-pneumatic valveassembly of claim 13, wherein the valve housing defines a second chamberthat extends between the end wall and the second shoulder.
 15. Theelectro-pneumatic valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the first chamberhas a first diameter and the second chamber has a second diameter thatis greater than the first diameter.
 16. The electro-pneumatic valveassembly of claim 14, wherein the poppet includes a poppet head that isslidably received within the second chamber and a poppet body thatextends from the poppet head and is slidably received within the firstchamber.